Getting back home, mother teleported us directly into her and father’s chambers and put some tea on for brewing. Smiling, she asked, “Feel a little more manly now that you have a way to earn your own coin? Did you enjoy your time off the island? I hope it wasn’t too bad to spend some time alone with an old woman like me.”

Truthfully, it was a nice experience in its own way. Enlightening to say the least. I got to experience several things first hand, such as the fear people in some lands felt towards those with magic, a brief battle for my life (at least I felt like I was fighting for my life, even if mother didn’t even seem like she hardly even noticed the whole incident), and I got my own bank card. Honestly, even though I was a bit frightened with our encounter with the guards in the other city, I’d enjoyed myself quite a bit.

The old me from Earth never would’ve admitted such a thing to my parents back then, but I’d learned a lot in the short time I’d lived previously. I’d learned how important family was, so I gratefully walked over and hugged mother tightly.

“I had a good time out with you mother, and I’d love to do it again some time,” I told her honestly. “I don’t know if I could say I feel manlier, though. Having my own coin is both liberating and frightening. I enjoy the freedom it offers, but also fear that I may make a mistake and get myself in debt, or somehow disappoint you or father. I never want to do that.”

Mother gave a happy laugh and returned my hug tightly. “You don’t have to worry about something like that. Believe it or not, I’ve had to bail your father out of debt many times over the years. I’m certain you can’t mismanage your coin as badly as he does.”

“Father’s bad with managing his coin?” He always seemed so serious and business-like, it's not something I’d expect from him.

Mother simply laughed lightly and ruffled my hair. “He’s terrible. I don’t think he has a clue how much coin is in his account. All he seems to know is, ‘Woooo I like this, here’s my card, now give me give me!’ If he sees a sword he likes, he gets it. Food he enjoys, he buys it. A suit of armor that’s rare and shiny? He gets it. Cost isn’t something he cares about.”

“Not that I really blame him,” she added with a sad little smile.

“Come. Sit. Let’s have tea. You’re old enough now, there are things you should know about our family.” She sat on the couch and patted lightly beside her for me to sit. Cups, plates, and a teapot floated across the room to pour and serve themselves to us. Somehow, the mood seemed to be serious, and it was a little unsettling as I took the teacup and sipped at it gingerly.

Since now didn’t seem like the time to interrupt her, I sat quietly until mother felt like continuing. “First, I suppose you should know that your father has 57 years, 3 months, and 2 days left to live.” She paused and watched my reaction, and I have to admit I was quite shocked! That’s a very precise figure!

“How can you be certain of that?” I asked.

“Because,” mother took a small sip of her tea, “that’s when I’m going to kill him.”

“Kill him!” I dropped my cup in shock, but it just hovered in midair and waited for me to take it once more.

Mother simply sipped on her tea without saying anything and waited on me to regain my composure. My mind was racing, but I could tell she wasn’t going to say anything else until I calmed myself, so I shakily took the teacup and sipped at it a few times myself.

“Feel better now?” Mother finally asked me after a few moments of silence.

I didn’t know what to say, so I just shook my head up and down in confirmation.

“Good.” She finally continued. “As I was saying, I’m going to kill your father in 57 years, 3 months, and 2 days. I hope it’s something that you can come to accept over time, but his death was something we agreed upon many years ago; before you were even born. 42 years, 8 months, and 2 days ago to be precise.”

“Why?” It seemed as if they both loved each other greatly, and they both seemed happy together. I couldn’t understand what she was telling me.

Mother simply smiled slightly and then tapped me on the nose. “And that, my dear child, is a very good question. Many would want to know how, or would argue to stop it, or claim it was wrong, evil, or impossible. They’d either deny reality or seek to alter it to suit their wishes. Instead, you seek to learn why it is the way it is, and that shows a lot of wisdom for one so young.”

“I’m proud of you,” she told me while smiling. Honestly, I think I was in a state of shock. First, she tells me she’s going to kill Father, and then she brags on me. Is she a monster or a loving mother? Is it possible to be both?

“One thing you should realize,” she continued, “is the difference in our ages. My magic keeps me from growing old – I’ve already seen thousands of years of life, and I expect to see thousands more – but your father doesn’t have the same gift I do. He’s a normal man, and would normally have a lifespan of about eighty years – provided he didn’t die in a battle, or to a disease, earlier.

“He was a strapping young man with a healthy appetite for beautiful women when we met, and even when I told him that I would outlive him by countless years, he wouldn’t stop pursuing me. To your father, that simply made me more irresistible. A beauty that could never grow old and wrinkly? I was his dream made reality, according to him.

“For me, however, it was a different matter. If I gave my heart to him, I’d have to watch him grow old. Age. Weaken before my eyes, and then eventually fade away. I didn’t want to bare that, but he wouldn’t give up.

“In the end, we found a way which works for us. Using my magic, I can heal him and keep him young and as vibrant as the day when we first met – but all things have a limit. My power is strong, but even I can’t keep someone ageless for an eternity. A hundred years is pushing the limit of what I can do, and that’s what I promised your father.

“One hundred years of youth, with me constantly pouring my magic into him and keeping him young.”

Slowly, she sipped at her tea and gave me a few moments to digest her words before she spoke again. “After that, death will have a stronger grip upon him than my powers of life can counter, and he’ll weaken quickly. Diseases, sickness, aches and pains will creep up on him overnight. His body will age weeks at a time, every day that passes, and he’ll suffer a dark and terrible death, which no man should ever have to endure.

“I’m not going to let him suffer like that, and it’s not something he wishes either. Before my strength to hold off death’s embrace weakens, I’m going to use your father in a magical ritual. A hundred years of constantly filling his body with my energy will alter him in many various little ways. If his death is harvested properly, a very powerful magestone can be created from it.

“That’s what we agreed upon. I would give him a hundred years of vibrant youth, and at the end of that time, I would end his suffering and create a magestone to keep, use, and treasure for the rest of my days.”

My mind was reeling and I finally sat my teacup down and started towards the door. “It’s… It’s a lot to take in at once, mother,” I told her honestly. “I’m going to have to think it over some and sort out what I think and feel about it.”

Mother simply laughed lightly and smiled over at me as I walked to the door. “I’d expect nothing less from you, Mik’hail. Don’t worry, I’m a patient woman and we’ll have plenty of time to sort out whatever feelings you might have.”

“Your magic is going to keep you from growing old as well,” she informed me nonchalantly. “Someday, perhaps, you’ll find yourself facing the same problems we faced. It’ll be up to you to choose your own path forward when that time comes. Just know, I’ll always be here for you if you need me.”

I hate to say it, but I turned and ran at that point. I don’t know what I was going to accomplish exactly by just running away from her words, but I needed some time to myself to try and process what I’d learned already.

My family has some pretty dark secrets in it, and I’m not certain I’d be able to handle it if she dropped another one on me so suddenly. I needed some time to process what I’d already been told first!

Luckily, my room was just down the hall, and I was able to go hide in it for the rest of the evening so I could be alone with my thoughts.